PM Modi France visit
Today, the friendship between India and France has become an example for the world. Be it Prime Minister Narendra Modi or Sardar Manmohan Singh. Be it Indira Gandhi or Nehru. Everyone gave equal importance to France as the Prime Minister of India. Indira Gandhi’s first visit as PM was to France. Yes, Modi has traveled the maximum number of these. Certainly, these visits have taken place as per the needs of the country and strategic partnership. Come, on the pretext of PM’s recent visit, let us know why France is special for India? Why did PM Modi go to France 7 times, did Nehru and Manmohan Singh also go?
Why is France special for India?
India’s relations with France are quite different and deeper than those of other Western countries. There are many reasons for this.
Unconditional Support: When India conducted nuclear tests in 1998, many countries including America imposed sanctions on India. Even in that difficult time, France did not abandon India and opposed the sanctions. France respects the sovereignty of India and does not interfere in its internal affairs.
Self-reliance in defense sector: India is heavily dependent on France for modernizing its army. Rafale fighter jets are the biggest example of this. Apart from this, France is also ready to share technology with India under Make in India.
Space and Science: There is a decades-old relationship between the Indian Space Research Organization and the French Space Agency. Many satellites of India have been launched from France’s Ariane rocket. Today both the countries are working together on Mars and Venus missions.
Nuclear Energy: To meet India’s energy needs, work is going on with France on Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project. France is helping India in making clean energy.
Importance of France on the global stage
France is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. He has always supported India’s permanent membership in the Security Council. Whenever Pakistan or China tried to corner India on the international stage, France stood as a shield.
economic and cultural relations
France is a major trading partner of India in Europe. Thousands of Indian students go to France for studies every year. Both the countries have come closer to each other in terms of tourism also. Yoga, Ayurveda and Indian food are very popular in France, while the number of people learning French language is increasing in India.
path to the future
India and France have prepared a roadmap for the next 25 years, which has been named Horizon 2047. This includes cooperation in space, security in the Indian Ocean, environmental protection and working together on new technology. This friendship is not just between two governments, but between two democratic civilizations.
Why did PM Modi visit France 7 times?
Prime Minister Modi visiting France 7 times is a record for any Indian Prime Minister. There are many strategic and diplomatic reasons behind this.
25 Years of Strategic Partnership: 25 years of strategic partnership between India and France has been completed. On this occasion, he participated as the chief guest in the Bastille Day Parade there.
Defense Deals: Major defense agreements like the purchase of Rafale aircraft and construction of Scorpene submarines required constant negotiation and monitoring.
Shared stance on terrorism: France has always supported India on international forums on Kashmir issue and against terrorism. To maintain this coordination, top level meetings were necessary.
Solar Alliance: In 2015, during the Paris Climate Agreement, India and France together started the International Solar Alliance. Several meetings were held regarding its headquarters and operations.
Did Nehru, Indira and Manmohan Singh also go to France?
Previous Prime Ministers of India had also given importance to relations with France, although the times and needs were different.
Jawaharlal Nehru: The country’s first Prime Minister Nehru visited France from 16 to 19 January 1951. The main issue at that time was the peaceful transfer of Puducherry and cooperation in the field of science. Later Nehru also visited France in the year 1962.
Indira Gandhi: During the time of Indira Gandhi, talks between India and France in the field of nuclear energy and defense started. He also made three official visits to France. The special thing is that Indira Gandhi, as PM, made her first foreign trip to France in the year 1966. Which confirms that France-India relations are stronger than before.
Manmohan Singh: Former PM Manmohan Singh also visited France four times during his 10-year rule. His first visit was in the year 2005. It was during his time in 2008 that a civil nuclear agreement was signed between India and France, which was a huge achievement for India.
The frequency of these visits has increased during the era of PM Modi because in the current global circumstances, France has emerged as India’s most reliable partner in Europe.
In short, France is not just a country for India but an evergreen friend. PM Modi’s frequent visits have taken this friendship to new heights. Be it defence, science or the fight against terrorism, France has stood in step with India on every front. This is the reason why France holds a special place in Indian foreign policy.
Also read- From fighter jets to guided bombs, what does India buy from France, on whose tour PM Modi went?
